unctuous

adjective

unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə-wəs 

-chəs,

-shwəs

1

: having, revealing, or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality

2

a

: fatty, oily

b

: smooth and greasy in texture or appearance

3

: plastic

fine unctuous clay

unctuously adverb

unctuousness noun

Did you know?

Is unctuous positive or negative?

Nowadays, unctuous usually has a negative connotation, but it originated as a term describing a positive act: that of healing. The word comes from the Latin verb unguere (“to anoint”), a root that also gave rise to the words unguent (“a soothing or healing salve”) and ointment. The oily nature of ointments may have led to the use of unctuous to describe things marked by an artificial gloss of sentimentality. An unctuous individual may mean well, but the person’s insincere effusiveness can leave an unwelcome residue—much like that of some ointments.

Synonyms

• artificial
• backhanded
• counterfeit
• double
• double-dealing
• double-faced
• fake
• feigned
• hypocritical
• insincere
• Janus-faced
• jive [slang]
• left-handed
• lip
• mealy
• mealymouthed
• Pecksniffian
• phony
• phoney
• phony-baloney
• phoney-baloney
• pretended
• two-faced

Examples of unctuous in a Sentence

an unctuous effort to appear religious to the voters

an unctuous appraisal of the musical talent shown by the boss's daughter

Recent Examples on the Web

At first, this felt alien to me, and that’s because I’m used to thick, unctuous lip balms packed with ingredients like petrolatum, which lock in moisture but don’t do much else. —Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 21 June 2024

Avoid thicker, more unctuous types, like coconut oil, like the plague. —Tish Weinstock, Vogue, 2 July 2024

The first was loud, deep and unctuous, the second was casual — until money came up. —Jesse McKinley, New York Times, 2 May 2024

These two Heraclea varieties (available in a convenient bundle) ought to cover all your EVOO bases: The light and peppery Early blend is best for dipping and garnishing, while Mature, a milder and pleasantly unctuous oil, is great for marinades, baking, and cooking. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French unctueus, from Medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus act of anointing, from unguere to anoint

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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Kids Definition

unctuous

adjective

unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)s 

ˈəŋ(k)sh-wəs

1

: smooth and greasy like an ointment : oily

2

: too smooth, polite, and agreeable in speech or manner

unctuously adverb

unctuousness noun

Medical Definition

unctuous

adjective

unc·​tu·​ous ˈəŋ(k)-chə(-wə)s, ˈəŋ(k)sh-wəs 

: rich in oil or fat : fatty

an unctuous pharmaceutical preparation